One-Pot Spaghetti With Cherry Tomatoes and Kale

One-Pot Spaghetti With Cherry Tomatoes and Kale

In this simple recipe, raw pasta and cherry tomatoes are simmered together in a single pan, cooking the pasta and forming a thick, starchy sauce at the same time. The efficient technique is internet famous, but this is the British cookbook author Anna Jones’s vegetarian take on the phenomenon, adapted from her book “A Modern Way to Cook.” The technique is easy to master and endlessly adaptable: When you add the kale, you could also toss in a couple of anchovies and a generous pinch of red-pepper flakes. When you season and top with cheese, you could add a pile of fresh chopped herbs, like mint, basil or oregano.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes

    halved, about 2 pints

  • 2 lemons

    zested

  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    plus more to taste
  • 1 bunch kale or spinach

    leaves only, washed and chopped

  • Black pepper
  • Parmesan

    for serving

Directions

  1. 1

    Bring just over a quart of water to a boil. Meanwhile, place spaghetti, tomatoes, lemon zest, oil and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a large, dry, shallow pan. (The pan should be large enough that the dry spaghetti can lie flat.)

  2. 2

    Carefully add the boiling water to the pan with the spaghetti. Cover pan, and bring up to a boil. Remove lid and simmer for about 6 minutes, using tongs to move the spaghetti around now and then so it doesn’t stick. Add kale or spinach and continue cooking until remaining liquid has reduced to a sauce and the pasta is cooked through. Taste, season with salt and pepper, and top with Parmesan.

One-Pot Spaghetti With Cherry Tomatoes and Kale

One-Pot Spaghetti With Cherry Tomatoes and Kale

4.0(8.3k)

Similar Recipes

One-Pot Spaghetti

One-Pot Spaghetti

Combine noodles, fresh tomatoes and water, then simmer for perfectly cooked pasta and a luxurious One-Pot Spaghetti recipe.

20 minutes430 kcal
One-Pot Pasta

One-Pot Pasta

This simple one-pot pasta is super cozy and comforting with your pasta of choice, mixed vegetables, and a creamy tomato sauce. All you need is ONE pot or pan and 20 minutes for this dairy-free, vegan, versatile, creamy pasta recipe!

20 minutes3 servings465 kcal
Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

This Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is a quick and easy dish that comes together in 15 minutes. It's an amazing pasta with cherry tomatoes garlic and basil.

15 minutes403 kcal
One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach

One-Pot Lentils & Rice with Spinach

This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.

Simple Spaghetti Arrabiata

Simple Spaghetti Arrabiata

A delicious chunky spicy simple spaghetti arrabiata recipe using just eight ingredients and vegetarian-friendly, ready in under half an hour.

642 kcal
Easy Veggie Spaghetti

Easy Veggie Spaghetti

Quick and easy vegetable spaghetti with lots of veggies and a simple tomato sauce made completely from scratch. For vegan spaghetti, skip the cheese and serve with a little nutritional yeast scattered on top. The sauce can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

35 minutes
Easy Baked Spaghetti

Easy Baked Spaghetti

This Baked Spaghetti Recipe is a cheesy vegetarian pasta casserole dish that's simple to make, requiring only one pan in the oven, and a family favorite meal.

65 minutes
Bruschetta Pasta

Bruschetta Pasta

Fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil come together with olive oil and salty parmesan cheese to make delicious vegetarian Bruschetta Pasta! It's a super easy one-pot recipe that only takes 15 minutes to make!

15 minutes

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Excellent

Based on 8,321 ratings

cooking.nytimes.com
4.0(8,321 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Imagine a delicious, vibrant spaghetti dish that cooks itself in just one pot, saving you from a mountain of dishes. This One-Pot Spaghetti With Cherry Tomatoes and Kale makes that dream a reality, delivering authentic flavors with incredible ease.

The genius behind this One-Pot Spaghetti is its simplicity: raw pasta, cherry tomatoes, and other ingredients simmer together in a single pan. As the spaghetti cooks, it releases starch, naturally creating a rich, thick sauce that beautifully coats every strand. It's an efficient technique made famous online, and this version, adapted from British cookbook author Anna Jones, offers a wonderfully fresh, vegetarian take that’s both flavorful and practical.

Prepare for a meal that feels both wholesome and deeply satisfying. You'll experience perfectly al dente spaghetti enveloped in a vibrant, naturally thickened sauce, bursting with the sweet-tartness of halved cherry tomatoes and brightened by fresh lemon zest. The tender kale adds an earthy balance, creating a dish that’s deceptively simple to prepare yet rich in flavor. This is a wonderfully straightforward recipe that lets fresh ingredients shine, making a hearty and comforting dinner ready in about 20 minutes of simmering.

This adaptable one-pot wonder invites creativity. While cooking, consider tossing in a couple of anchovies for a salty, umami depth or a generous pinch of red-pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat. For a different green, spinach can easily be swapped for kale. When you're ready to serve, a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs like mint, basil, or oregano alongside the Parmesan would add another layer of aromatic brightness.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner when you crave something wholesome and quick, this spaghetti also shines as an easy yet impressive dish for casual gatherings. Serve it straight from the pot, topped generously with Parmesan cheese and a final crack of black pepper.

Frequently Asked Questions